AFP chief: Be alert for NPA ‘extortionists’ as campaign starts

MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. has ordered his men to keep an eye out for the New People’s Army (NPA) as the campaign period for the midterm elections kicked off on Tuesday.

The NPA is known to demand money from candidates who want to campaign in their areas of operation.

He said the troops should “be on the lookout for extortionists,” saying the NPA rebels have been declared persona non grata in some places like Compostela Valley and the Eastern Mindanao area.

“Definitely, they can no longer extort in these places,” he told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

The midterm elections will be held on May 13.

Madrigal also reminded the troops to remain non-partisan and to make sure the upcoming elections will be orderly and secure. /cbb